Jewelry
Choose a series to see the collection. All of the jewelry is hand-made. My creations combine a sense of fun and purpose with essential interests from my past. As a kid, I wanted to be an architect when I grew up - now I make miniature buildings. I've always been drawn to mathematical concepts - now they inform my art, as in the miniature mobius strips I make. I have been a photographer for many years, accumulating piles of photographs that I could never throw away - now I chop them up and set them or transfer them to silver and etch their likenesses. I always thought that something could be done to recycle used technology - now I take the chips and capacitors from discarded computers, and combine them with sterling silver in traditional jewelry formats. It satisfies my disparate interests, it's fun and it's ecological.
Mobius Strip Series
This series was inspired by the mathematical idea of a mobius strip, a geometrical curiosity which has only one surface and one edge. It is often used as a symbol for infinity. Sterling silver with amethyst, carnelian, jade, hematite, lapis, Tuquoise with oxidized silver, 22k gold plated with carnelian, or rose gold plated with hematite.
Photo Etched Series
These pieces are created using a photo-etching process. Images are photocopied onto acetate, then ironed onto silver and copper. They are placed in an acid bath which eats away at metal not protected by toner. Pieces are then oxidized to enhance the texture.
Order
If you are interested in placing an order, please call me or email me. All prices on the site are listed in retail. I am happy to make pieces for you and ship them, or bring a piece with me to one of my shows for you. Also, some of my pieces are available on my etsy site for point and click purchasing. Some images have a direct link, or you can visit: www.etsy.com/shop/ikrepchin
Galleries and Wholesalers
If you are interested in placing a wholesale order, please contact me at the same email or phone number and I am happy to share my wholesale pricing with you.
Events
Newton Fine Arts Festival : Newton Cultural Center, Nov. 19th & 20th
Independent Designers Market : Harvard Square, Dec. 3rd & Dec. 17th.
Avon Place Glass Studio Sale: 147 Sherman Street, Cambridge, Dec. 10th & 11th.
Galleries
Find my work all year long:
13Forest Gallery
Jewelry Party and Benefit
Live in the Boston area? Want to host a jewelry party? Here are the details. Contact me if you are interested.
*15% of the proceeds go to the Charity of your choice
*The host receives $50 worth of jewelry, which you can choose at the party
*I'll give a piece of jewelry to be offered as a raffle to guests
*The host provides whatever they might normally do for a party: afternoon tea or wine and cheese/crackers, something like that, depending on time of day and what the host wants to do, totally up to you.
*To make it worth my while, I'm asking hosts to get at least 5 people to come (although they aren't required to buy anything).
Caring for your jewelry
Most pieces are sterling silver and/or copper with a matte finish (they are not intended to have a high polish). They will tarnish over time. Keeping pieces in a bag when not wearing them will slow the process. DO NOT put in liquid cleaner (this may harm stones). Use very fine steel wool and rub gently over surface, or use a little bit of baking power on a cloth or tooth brush. Pieces that had been oxidized (black color) will not change significantly over time, and have a protective lacquer. Do not polish these. Pieces that are etched, then oxidized, will tarnish a little over time. To clean these, simply go over surface with a polishing cloth or very fine steel wool. Plated pieces (yellow or rose gold) should not be polished.
Floating Shapes
Creating the illusion of floating, this collection is constructed from sterling silver square wire with 6 and 8 mm half-drilled stones: sterling silver with amethyst, carnelian (carnelian available with vermeil, 22k gold over silver), hematite (hematite available with rose gold plate), jade, lapis, turquoise (turquoise available with oxidized sterling silver).
Biography
I have a BA from Hampshire college in Photography and Anthropology, and extensive training in jewelry making from a number of venues including the Decordova Museum. Post-college I worked as the Associate Director of a small non-profit arts collaborative, running teen photography programs. During that period, I also took a lot of jewelry making classes at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education and Metalwerx. When I left that job, I decided to immerse myself in the world of jewelry production and craft shows. I worked for many years as a studio manager and production assistant for an established jeweler; and then went out on my own. And here I am. I love it.
Sculpture not to wear
This is a new direction for me. Some are copper, some wood and resin. These pieces are inspired by my jewelry and a desire to make something bigger.
Jewelry Boxes
Resin Collection
This collection is sterling silver with epoxy glue resin in different colors.
Bubble Series
This series is comprised of various components set under glass or plexi-glass, mimicking precious stones. Elements include: photographs, recycled credit cards and candy wrappers. Pieces are set in sterling silver.
Floating Stones
This series is comprised of various precious stones floating in a sterling silver frame fabricated with square wire. Pendants are hung on sterling silver venetian square chain. Toggle is a hand fabricated.
